If you are writing an email and you are unsure whether to use advice or advise, the direct answer is: use advice when you are talking about the suggestion or recommendation itself (a noun), and use advise when you are talking about the action of giving that suggestion (a verb). In emails, the most common mistake is writing “please advice” when the correct form is “please advise.”
Quick Answer
Advice (noun) = the helpful suggestion or opinion you give or receive.
Advise (verb) = the act of giving that suggestion or opinion.
In an email, if you need someone to tell you what to do, write: Please advise. If you are sharing a helpful tip, write: Here is some advice.
Understanding the Difference in Email Context
In professional and personal emails, the confusion between advice and advise is very common because they sound similar. However, their grammatical roles are different, and using the wrong one can make your writing look less careful.
Advice (Noun)
Advice is a noun. It refers to the information, opinion, or recommendation itself. You can give advice, take advice, ask for advice, or ignore advice. It is an uncountable noun in standard English, so you do not say “an advice” or “advices.” Instead, you say “a piece of advice” or “some advice.”
Example in an email:
Thank you for your advice on the project timeline.
Advise (Verb)
Advise is a verb. It describes the action of giving advice. You advise someone to do something, or you advise against something. In emails, it is often used in polite requests or formal instructions.
Example in an email:
I advise you to review the contract before signing.
Comparison Table: Advice vs. Advise in Emails
| Feature | Advice | Advise |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Noun | Verb |
| Meaning | A suggestion or recommendation | To give a suggestion or recommendation |
| Common email phrase | “I need your advice.” | “Please advise.” |
| Countability | Uncountable (some advice, a piece of advice) | Countable (I advise, you advise, he advises) |
| Pronunciation | ad-VICE (ends with /s/ sound) | ad-VIZE (ends with /z/ sound) |
| Formal tone | Neutral to formal | Often formal in requests |
Natural Examples in Emails and Conversations
Seeing both words used naturally helps you remember which one fits where.
Using “Advice” in Emails
- Could you give me some advice on how to handle this client?
- I followed your advice and it worked perfectly.
- Here is a piece of advice: always double-check the attachment before sending.
- My manager offered me valuable advice about career growth.
Using “Advise” in Emails
- Please advise on the next steps.
- I would advise you to wait until we receive the final report.
- The legal team advises against sharing that information.
- We advise all customers to update their passwords regularly.
In Conversation
- Can you advise me on which course to take?
- That was really good advice you gave me yesterday.
- I advise you not to drive in this weather.
- She always gives sound advice.
Common Mistakes with Advice and Advise in Emails
Even experienced writers make these errors. Here are the most frequent ones and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: “Please advice”
Incorrect: Please advice on the deadline.
Correct: Please advise on the deadline.
Why: “Please” is followed by a verb. “Advise” is the verb form.
Mistake 2: “I need an advice”
Incorrect: I need an advice from you.
Correct: I need some advice from you. or I need a piece of advice from you.
Why: “Advice” is uncountable. You cannot say “an advice.”
Mistake 3: “He adviced me”
Incorrect: He adviced me to apply early.
Correct: He advised me to apply early.
Why: The past tense of “advise” is “advised,” not “adviced.”
Mistake 4: “I gave him an advise”
Incorrect: I gave him an advise.
Correct: I gave him some advice.
Why: “Advise” is a verb, not a noun. Use “advice” as the noun.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you want to avoid the confusion altogether. Here are clear alternatives for common email situations.
Instead of “Please advise”
If you are asking for guidance, you can use these phrases:
- Please let me know what you think.
- Could you share your recommendation?
- I would appreciate your input.
- What do you suggest?
When to use it: Use these alternatives in less formal emails or when you want to sound more conversational. “Please advise” is correct but can feel stiff or old-fashioned in casual communication.
Instead of “I need your advice”
If you want to be more specific:
- I would like your opinion on this matter.
- Could you guide me on the best approach?
- I value your perspective here.
When to use it: Use these when you want to sound polite and respectful without using the word “advice” incorrectly.
Formal vs. Informal Tone in Emails
The choice between advice and advise also depends on the tone of your email.
Formal Emails
In formal business or academic emails, both words are common. Use “advise” for polite requests and “advice” when referring to recommendations.
Example:
Dear Mr. Chen,
I am writing to ask for your advice regarding the budget proposal. Please advise on the timeline for submission.
Informal Emails
In emails to colleagues or friends, you can still use both words, but you might also use simpler alternatives.
Example:
Hey Sarah,
I need your advice on this design. What do you think? Let me know!
Mini Practice: Advice or Advise?
Test yourself with these four questions. Choose the correct word for each sentence.
Question 1
I would like to ask for your _______ on the best way to present this data.
Answer: advice (noun)
Question 2
Please _______ me on whether I should accept the offer.
Answer: advise (verb)
Question 3
She gave me excellent _______ about improving my resume.
Answer: advice (noun)
Question 4
The manager _______ the team to wait for further instructions.
Answer: advised (past tense of verb)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it “please advise” or “please advice”?
The correct form is please advise. “Advise” is a verb, and after “please” you need a verb. “Please advice” is a common error.
2. Can I use “advice” in a formal email?
Yes, absolutely. “Advice” is perfectly appropriate in formal emails. For example: I appreciate your advice on this matter. Just remember it is a noun.
3. Is “advices” ever correct?
No, in standard English, “advice” is an uncountable noun. You cannot say “advices.” If you need to refer to multiple suggestions, say “pieces of advice” or “some advice.”
4. How do I remember the difference?
Think of the ending sound. Advice ends with “ice” (like “nice”), and it is a noun. Advise ends with “ise” (like “rise”), and it is a verb. Another trick: “Advise” has the letter “s” like “suggest” (both verbs).
Final Note for Email Writers
When you are writing an email, take a moment to check whether you need a noun or a verb. If you can replace the word with “suggestion” or “recommendation,” use advice. If you can replace it with “recommend” or “suggest,” use advise. This simple test will help you avoid the most common email mistake with these two words.
For more help with similar word pairs, explore our guides in Writing and Email Differences or Grammar Word Differences. If you have further questions, visit our FAQ page or contact us.
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